Schema Metaphors
This Schema Metaphors resource provides an illustrated series of metaphors to help clients understand what schemas are and how they shape perception.
Schema Metaphors
This Schema Metaphors handout uses helpful metaphors to explain what schemas are. It will help you understand how schemas maintain themselves and why they are difficult to change.
Overview
Cognitive therapy focuses on three levels of cognition: automatic thoughts, conditional assumptions, and core beliefs. Core beliefs represent the most fundamental level of cognition and are embedded in schemas. Schemas are an important cognitive structure in the cognitive theory of psychopathology. They are believed to contribute to the development, maintenance, and recurrence of psychological disorders (Arntz, 2018; Riso & McBride, 2007).
Metaphors can be a helpful tool for clients to understand complex ideas, including schema-level processes. The Schema Metaphors series is an illustrated collection designed to help individuals understand what schemas are, how they operate, and why they persist.
Also available as:
PDF ToolUse this tool with your clients
Support therapeutic work between sessions.
Assign
Send the tool securely to your client.
Client completes
Your client works through it on any device, at their own pace.
Review
Review their responses before the next session.
Part of a complete library of evidence-based tools
Worksheets, guides, audio resources and interactive digital tools for mental health professionals.